Samurai Market blog!

 Ninjas are the phantoms of Japan’s feudal past—silent assassins who moved like whispers, leaving no trace but the bodies of their targets. Among them, Hattori Hanzō (服部半蔵) stands as a towering figure, a master of stealth whose name echoes through history. But beyond the tales of his daring exploits lies a darker, creepier legend: one of a shadow that never truly left this world, a ninja whose presence lingers in the stillness of the night. The Demon of Iga (伊賀県)  Hattori Hanzō was born in 1542 in the rugged province of Iga, a land famed for birthing the ninja tradition....

 The Five Elements (Godai) in Japanese philosophy represent nature, human life, and spiritual balance. Every element has complementary colors that enhance its energy, and others are opposite to its energy. This is how color influences the Godai: Earth (Chi): With stability and grounding comes Earth, tied to brown, yellow, and earth tones. These add to its solidity. Avoid bright green, which shatters its calm like weeds smothering the soil. Water (Sui): Water is fluid and pliable, balancing with blue, dark blue, and black. These colors intensify its flow. Avoid earthy yellow or brown, which stagnate it like mud filling a stream. Fire (Ka): Energy and transformation, Fire glows with red, orange, and warm hues. These increase its vitality. Avoid blue or black, which extinguish it like water quenches fire. Wind (Fū): Movement and freedom, Wind is associated with white, light gray, and pale blue, which convey airiness. Avoid dark red or orange, which weigh it down like heat stifling a breeze. Void (Kū): The ethereal and infinite,...

Dear Sumurai Market Friends, We owe you all a huge, heartfelt apology. It's been a whole year since we last posted on the blog, and we've missed catching up with you—our lovely community. The honest truth about our absence is that we've been terribly busy. Over the past year, our team has been swamped with a flood of orders from both our dedicated domestic customers and a growing wave of international supporters. Your enthusiasm has kept us on our toes, and while we’re so grateful for it, we’re sorry that the blog took a backseat amid the chaos. We're truly...

Owning a Japanese kitchen knife is not just a culinary investment; it's a commitment to a piece of living history. Proper care and maintenance are essential to preserving the blade's sharpness and longevity. From regular honing to hand washing and drying, each step in the care routine reflects the chef's dedication to their craft and respect for the blade. A Slice of History The story of Japanese kitchen knives traces back to the samurai era, where the skills of master swordsmiths transcended into the culinary domain. The Kamakura period (1185–1333) saw the inception of traditional Japanese sword-making techniques applied to...

The dawn of a new year always brings emotions of renewal, opportunities, and unlimited possibilities. But this year, there's something even more special on the horizon: the beginning of the Japanese Year of the Dragon! In Japanese culture, the dragon is a powerful symbol, always associated with wisdom, longevity, and transformation. This year promises to be an extraordinary time to soar towards our dreams with the energy of the dragon by our side. The history of Japanese dragons originates from Chinese mythology and was introduced to Japan in the 8th century by the Japanese who studied in China. The Japanese and Chinese...